HOOPS

Converge regaining strength

Mark Escarlote · Nov 1, 2026, 4:58 AM

JUAN Gomez de Liaño and Converge apply the lessons from their series-opening collapse to turn back Rain or Shine, 130-125, in Game 2 and tie their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series. — Photograph by Joey Sanchez Mendoza for DAILY TRIBUNE

Squandering a huge lead and surrendering the series opener served as a wake-up call for Converge.

With Rain or Shine threatening to steal Game 2 with another second-half surge, the FiberXers applied the lessons from the previous meeting and showed composure down the stretch to level the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinals series at 1-1.

“Yeah, I think it was a complete team effort. Pretty much played to our strengths and our advantages throughout the game,” young guard Juan Gomez de Liaño said after Converge’s 130-125 win on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The FiberXers stayed calm and composed after the Elasto Painters tied the game at 120 with three minutes left after a relentless chase.

Import Cameron Clak, Alec Stockton, Mikey Williams and Calvin Abueva worked together in Converge’s closing 10-5 run to deny Rain or Shine another surprise comeback.

“We stayed composed. (We) kind of fell short. We slowed down in the second half, but I’m very happy that we were able to recover and bounce back,” said Gomez de Liaño, who had 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

Just like in Game 1, the FiberXers opened a double-digit lead, 45-30, in the second quarter. Gritty Rain or Shine behind the trio of Aaron Fuller, Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito rallied their team back.

But unlike in the series opener last Tuesday, where Converge collapsed after building a 21-point second-quarter advantage to fall, 120-124, the FiberXers refused to crumble under pressure.

“Our first game was kind of like a wake-up call for us. We didn’t want to let that happen again. We were up by 21, and we just let it go away that easily,” Gomez de Liaño said.

“I’m very happy and glad that we were able to recover. Of course, the coaching staff always gave us confidence. They made the right and proper adjustments coming to Game 2,” he added.

The FiberXers will try to gain the upper hand in Game 3 on Tuesday at the City of Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

“The job’s not finished yet. We need to win two more games, and hopefully we advance to the next round,” Gomez de Liaño said.